Methods and Apparatus for Radio Resource Control

ABSTRACT

Improved systems and techniques for controlling access to network resources. A base station broadcasts extended access barring (EAB) and access class barring (ACB) information. Upon a determination by a user equipment that the user equipment requires service from the base station, the user equipment determines its EAB category and call type. The user equipment receives the EAB and ACB information broadcast by the base station and determines if it is subject to EAB based on its EAB category. If the user equipment is not subject to EAB, the user equipment determines if its call type is subject to ACB and, if the call type is subject to ACB, applies access class barring based on its call type.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority as a continuation application of U.S.application Ser. No. 13/136,793, filed Aug. 10, 2011, which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to wireless communication. Moreparticularly, the invention relates to systems and techniques formanaging load on a wireless network.

BACKGROUND

One of the greatest problems facing wireless network operators is theneed to serve large numbers of customers with varying needs using theinfrastructure available to them. Operators of wireless networks and,indeed, most systems serving large numbers of customers, have longobserved that loads nearing or exceeding the capacity of a networktypically result not from the average demand presented by the users, butfrom peak demand resulting from simultaneous requests for service from arelatively large proportion of their user population.

Wireless networks use a number of techniques to manage their peak loads,and one mechanism that can be used as the danger of congestion increasesis the temporary denial of service to various users. A base station,such as an eNodeB may broadcast signals indicating that particular usersare to be excluded from making connection request. For example, the 3GPPdefines standards for access class barring (ACB), in which each UE is amember of one or more access classes and User equipments (UEs) may beconfigured to recognize data broadcast by an eNodeB excluding theiraccess class. 3GPP technical specification 22.011 V10.3.0 recognizes 16access classes. Every UE is a member of one of the classes 0-9, and theclasses 11-15 are reserved for UEs belonging to special categories, suchas public utilities or emergency service providers. Each UE belonging tothe classes 11-15 is also a member of one of the classes 0-9.

When the network needs to control the number of UEs accessing thenetwork, it broadcasts a message indicating the current barring ratecommonly applicable for classes 0-9 and a flag designating barred orunbarred status for each of classes 11-15. When a UE in one of classes0-9 needs access to the network, it draws a random number and comparesit to the current barring rate. An access attempt is allowed or notbased on the comparison. If the access attempt is not allowed, furtherattempts are barred for a time period that is calculated based on themean duration of access control provided by the network and the randomnumber drawn by the UE.

The 3G Partnership Project is also discussing Extended Access Barring(EAB), which would exclude devices subject to EAB under circumstances inwhich other devices would be unaffected, or for timer periods longerthan those applicable to devices subject to ACB.

Substantial numbers of devices that are more or less delay tolerantexist in the service areas of wireless networks. A relatively new classof users, that is, machine type communication (MTC) devices, exist inlarge numbers throughout the service areas of wireless networks. ManyMTC devices monitor significant events such as earthquakes or othernatural disasters, and the occurrence of such an event is likely totrigger activity by a great many MTC devices, which will record data andtransmit the data to a host. Earthquake monitoring devices, for example,might detect and record earthquake forces and then request networkservice to transmit the data to a host, with the host eventuallyperforming analysis of the data received from MTC devices distributedthroughout the region affected by the earthquake. Such MTC devicestypically require service for a short duration and most may not actuallyneed service at the exact time the event occurs. However, it is alsotrue that MTC devices do not have awareness of other demands on thenetwork and the communication necessary to give them that informationwould impose an unnecessary load on the network.

Many events that would trigger requests for service by MTC devices wouldalso give rise to more urgent demands for service, such as by emergencyresponders and persons requiring assistance. Network operators wish toinsure that service will be available to persons having urgent need and,indeed, to ordinary non-urgent usage to the extent possible, withoutneeding to contend with an excessive load caused by the sudden requestsfor service of possibly huge numbers of MTC devices seeking to uploaddata to a host, particularly when the devices do not even need to uploadtheir data at any particular time.

Therefore, protocols for relatively extended denial of service are beingdeveloped. The 3GPP has agreed that if the core network (CN) isoverloaded, an eNodeB associated with the core network can set anextended wait timer based on a “delay tolerant access” parameter of theRRC establishment cause, so that a UE that is to be subjected to anextended wait time, such as a delay tolerant UE, may be barred fromaccess reattempts for a longer time period than is typical in the caseof ordinary access class barring. Such a delay period may be, forexample, up to 30 minutes.

Discussions are underway for the development of protocols for suchextended denial of service. Such protocols are being referred to asextended access barring, or EAB.

According to 3GPP technical specification (TS) 22.011 v10.3, EAB has thefollowing requirements:

-   -   A network may broadcast EAB information.    -   EAB information shall define whether EAB applies to UEs within        one of the following categories:        -   a) UEs that are configured for EAB;        -   b) UEs that are configured for EAB and are neither in their            HPLMN nor in a PLMN that is equivalent to it;        -   c) UEs that are configured for EAB and are neither in the            PLMN listed as most preferred PLMN of the country where the            UE is roaming in the operator-defined PLMN selector list on            the SIM/USIM, nor in their HPLMN nor in a PLMN that is            equivalent to their

HPLMN

-   -   If a UE that is configured for EAB initiates an emergency call        or is a member of an Access Class in the range 11-15 and        according to clause 4.3.1 that Access Class is permitted by the        network, then the UE shall ignore any EAB information that is        broadcast by the network.    -   A UE configured for EAB shall use its allocated Access        Class(es), as defined in sub-clause 4.2, when evaluating the EAB        information that is broadcast by the network, in order to        determine if its access to the network is barred.    -   If the network is not broadcasting the EAB information, the UE        shall be subject to access barring as described in clause 4.3.1    -   If the EAB information that is broadcast by the network does not        bar the UE, the UE shall be subject to access barring as        described in clause 4.3.1.

If the UE will not be subject to EAB, the UE should apply normal accessclass barring based on its access class. In addition, if no EABinformation is being broadcast, such as on the broadcast control channel(BCCH), the UE should apply normal access class barring.

Access class is applied based on the call type in evolved UMTSterrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN) or on the RRC establishmentcause in UTRAN. In E-UTRAN, the non-access stratum (NAS) indicates thecall type and the RRC establishment cause to the access stratum (AS),and in UTRAN, the NAS indicates the RRC establishment cause to the AS.

The interface between the NAS and the AS is a UE internal interface, andstandardized mapping is applied between a specific NAS signallingprocedure. The call type and RRC establishment provided by NAS to the ASis standardized in normative annexes in 3GPP technical specifications24.301 (Annex D) and 24.008 (Annex L). The following is an exampleextracted from Annex D.

TABLE D.1.1 Mapping of NAS procedure to establishment cause and calltype NAS RRC establishment cause (according procedure 3GPP TS 36.331[22]) Call type Attach If an ATTACH REQUEST has EPS attach type not setto “EPS “originating emergency attach”, the RRC establishment causeshall be set signalling” to MO signalling except when the UE initiatesattach procedure to establish emergency bearer services. (See Note 1) Ifan ATTACH REQUEST has EPS attach type not set to “EPS “originatingemergency attach” and UE is configured for NAS signalling lowsignalling” priority, the RRC establishment cause shall be set to Delaytolerant. (See Note 1) If an ATTACH REQUEST has EPS attach type set to“EPS “emergency emergency attach” or if the ATTACH REQUEST has EPScalls” attach type not set to “EPS emergency attach” but the UEinitiates the attach procedure on receiving request from upper layer toestablish emergency bearer services, the RRC establishment cause shallbe set to Emergency call. (See Note 1) Note 1: For these NAS proceduresinitiated by UEs of access class 12, 13 or 14 in their home country, theRRC establishment cause will be set to “High priority access AC 11-15”.For this purpose the home country is defined as the country of the MCCpart of the IMSI, see 3GPP TS 22.011 [1A]. For these NAS proceduresinitiated by UE of access class 11 or 15 in their HPLMN (if the EHPLMNlist is not present or is empty) or EHPLMN (if the EHPLMN list ispresent), the RRC establishment cause will be set to “High priorityaccess AC 11-15”. Note 2: This is not applicable for mobile terminating1xCS fallback.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first embodiment of the invention, a method comprises configuringat least one processor to cause an apparatus to perform the functionsof, upon a determination that the apparatus needs to communicate with awireless networking base station, determining an extended access barringcategory of the apparatus and an access class barring call type of thecommunication, receiving extended access barring category informationbroadcast by the base station, receiving access class barringinformation broadcast by the base station, determining if thecommunication is subject to extended access barring, and, upon adetermination that the apparatus is not subject to extended accessbarring, determining whether the apparatus is subject to access classbarring based on the access class barring information broadcast by thebase station.

In another embodiment of the invention, an apparatus comprises at leastone processor and a computer readable memory storing a program ofinstructions. The instructions, when executed by the processor,configure the apparatus to perform the functions of, upon adetermination that the apparatus needs to communicate with a wirelessnetworking base station, determining an extended access barring categoryof the apparatus and an access class barring call type of thecommunication, receiving extended access barring category informationbroadcast by the base station, receiving access class barringinformation broadcast by the base station, determining if thecommunication is subject to extended access barring, and, upon adetermination that the apparatus is not subject to extended accessbarring, determining whether the apparatus is subject to access classbarring based on the access class barring information broadcast by thebase station.

In a further embodiment of the invention, a computer readable memorystores a program of instructions. Execution of the instructions by aprocessor causes an apparatus to perform the functions of, upon adetermination that the apparatus needs to communicate with a wirelessnetworking base station, determining an extended access barring categoryof the apparatus and an access class barring call type of thecommunication, receiving extended access barring category informationbroadcast by the base station, receiving access class barringinformation broadcast by the base station, determining if thecommunication is subject to extended access barring, and, upon adetermination that the apparatus is not subject to extended accessbarring, determining whether the apparatus is subject to access classbarring based on the access class barring information broadcast by thebase station.

These and other embodiments and aspects are detailed below withparticularity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a wireless network according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a process according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a process according to an alternative embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a process according to an alternative embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a base station according to an embodiment of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 6 illustrates a user equipment according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The requirements detailed above, as well as other requirements, andvarious problems associated with meeting the requirements and with ACBand EAB in general, are solved by aspects of the present invention, ofwhich exemplary embodiments are described below.

The present invention recognizes that the approaches detailed above donot provide specific mechanisms for EAB. For example, the provisions ofAnnex D quoted above specify that and, further, that for both include aprovision instructing the UE how to apply ordinary access class barringin cases in which a UE is configured for EAB, but EAB is not broadcastby the network or the UE passes EAB. The messages detailed above, aswell as other messages defined in various applicable 3GPP technicalspecifications, do not include parameters indicating the specificsignalling indicating that the UE is to use to apply EAB. The presentinvention also recognizes that it is important to insure that a UEreceives the information needed to apply ordinary access class barringif it passes EAB or if EAB information is not broadcast. Specifically,the UE needs to know whether to apply access class barring for mobileoriginating-signalling (MO-signalling) or mobile originating-data(MO-data). Network operators do not wish to inadvertently privilege MTCor other delay tolerant devices because such devices do not happen to besubject to EAB at any particular time. In addition, if devicesconfigured for EAB are unable to apply access class barring when theyare not subject to EAB at a particular time, one logical response ofnetwork operators to this situation is to broadcast EAB information sothat all devices configured for EAB are subject to EAB whenever accessclass barring is applied.

Embodiments of the present invention therefore provide mechanisms toprovide information to a UE so that a UE that is configured for EABwill, if it passes EAB or if there is no EAB information broadcast, alsohave or receive information needed to properly apply access classbarring.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary wireless network 100 according to anembodiment of the present invention. The network 100 comprises a corenetwork 102 and a base station, here implemented as an evolved node B,or eNodeB 104. The eNodeB 104 serves a cell 106, in which a plurality ofUEs such as the UEs 108A-108C may request service from the eNodeB 104.In order to avoid excessive loads on the core network, the eNodeB 104may receive commands from the core network 102 instructing imposition ofoverload control. The eNodeB 104 may suitably respond to such commandsby broadcasting EAB information, including parameters such asacBarringFactor and/or acBarringtime. The eNodeB 104 accomplishes ACBand EAB by broadcasting appropriate messages. In one exemplaryembodiment, the UE performs operations defined by the non-access stratum(NAS) of the wireless telecommunications protocol stack being used bythe UE, such as the E-UTRAN or the UTRAN protocol stack, with the NASproviding information defining the call type and the establishment causeto the AS. This information is based on the information broadcast by theeNodeB, and is used by the AS to define how to properly apply both ACBand EAB. The information provided by the NAS suitably indicates the typeof ACB being applied, typically designated by the ACB call type, as wellas the EAB parameters.

According to various exemplary embodiments of the invention, accessclass barring comprises one of three categories. These categories arebarring for emergency, barring for MO-signalling, and barring forMO-data. In various exemplary embodiments detailed below, the eNodeB 104therefore provides information enabling a determination as to whetherthe UE 108A is subject to EAB, and also enabling the AS to apply theproper ACB call type if the UE 108A is not subject to EAB.

FIG. 2 illustrates a process for determining whether a UE is subject toEAB and ACB according to an embodiment of the invention. In thefollowing discussion, the process is described as being implementedthrough operations of the eNodeB 104 and the UE 108A, but it will berecognized that the reference to specific devices is non-limiting andexemplary only.

At step 202, the eNodeB 104 broadcasts category “b” EAB parameters andMO-signalling ACB parameters. According to the requirements of TS22.011detailed above, EAB falls into one of three categories, “a”, “b”, and“c”. Category “a” is the most restrictive, barring all UEs configuredfor EAB. Category “b” bars all UEs that are not in their home network oran equivalent network and category “c” bars all UEs that are roaming ina non-preferred network as listed on their SIM or USIM. The informationbroadcast at step 202 by the eNodeB 104 indicates parameters for bothEAB and ACB, which may be interpreted by the UE 108A using separateparameters for EAB category and ACB call type. That is, mechanismsaccording to this embodiment of the present invention define a parameterindicating both whether the UE 108A is configured for EAB and theapplicable category if the UE 108 is configured for EAB. In parallel, anACB call type may be defined indicating the call types, if any, that aresubject to ACB. The ACB call type may suitably be defined, for example,as in 3GPP technical specifications 24.301 referred to above.

At step 204, the UE 108A recognizes that it needs to access the network100. Embodiments of the present invention recognize that simply adding anew call type, such as “EAB category ‘a’” or the like, would properlyexclude UEs in the EAB category being broadcast, but if a UE was notsubject to EAB under the broadcast category, it would not havesufficient information to apply normal access class barring.

At step 206, the NAS layer of the UE 108A identifies its EAB categoryand also identifies its ACB call type. The UE 108A is operating in itshome network, and so belongs to category “a”. That is, it is a deviceconfigured for EAB, but is subject to EAB only under circumstances inwhich all UEs not making an emergency request for service. The call typeis MO-signalling. The determination of the category is performed by theNAS, because the category depends on the relationship of the UE 108A tothe network 100 to which the UE 108A is attempting to gain access, andthis operation is part of the NAS functionality. The NAS thus preparestwo parameters, one for the EAB category and one for the ACB call type.In the present example, the EAB category indicator identifies thecategory as category “a” and the ACB call type indicator identifies thecall type as MO-signalling. At step 208, then, the NAS passes EABcategory and ACB call type information, together with the radio resourcecontrol (RRC) establishment cause, to the access stratum (AS) layer, inthe form of a first parameter of “EAB category ‘a’” and a secondparameter of “MO-signalling”

At step 210, at the AS, the UE 108A interprets the information broadcastby the eNodeB 104, recognizing that the eNodeB 104 is broadcasting anEAB parameter indicating category “b” and an ACB call type parameterindicating MO-signalling. At step 212, the AS evaluates its status withrespect to the EAB information being broadcast and recognizes that it isnot subject to EAB because it has received the information from the NASthat it belongs to category “a”. At step 214, because the UE 108A haspassed EAB, that is, the AS has determined that the UE 108A is notsubject to EAB, the AS evaluates the status of the UE 108A with respectto ACB, and determines that the UE 108A is subject to ACB for thecurrent call type. At step 216, the AS then applies access class barringas described above, that is, by drawing a random number and determiningwhether the UE 108A is barred or not and for how long based on therandom number, the access class of the UE 108A, and the barring rate andother applicable information broadcast by the eNodeB 104. The processthen terminates at step 218.

FIG. 3 illustrates the steps of a process 300 according to analternative embodiment of the invention. The process 300 may suitably becarried out using a network such as the network 100 of FIG. 1. In thefollowing discussion, the process is described as being implementedthrough operations of the eNodeB 104 and the UE 108B, but it will againbe recognized that the reference to specific devices is non-limiting andexemplary only.

At step 302, the eNodeB 104 broadcasts category “b” EAB parameters andMO-data ACB parameters in the same manner as described above withrespect to step 202 of FIG. 2. At step 304, the UE 108B recognizes thatit needs to access the network 100. At step 306, the NAS layer of the UE108B identifies its EAB category and also identifies its ACB call type.Again, the UE 108B is operating in its home network, and so belongs tocategory “a”. In the present example, suppose the call type is MO-data.In the exemplary embodiment presented here, rather than preparing dualcall type indicators, the NAS prepares what may be thought of as anexpanded call type indicator, one providing both the EAB category andthe ACB call type. At step 308, then, the NAS passes EAB category andACB call type information, together with the radio resource control(RRC) establishment cause, to the access stratum (AS) layer, suitably inthe form of a call type of “MO-data+EAB category “a”.

At step 310, at the AS, the UE 108B interprets the information broadcastby the eNodeB 104, recognizing that the eNodeB 104 is broadcasting anEAB parameter indicating category “b” and an ACB call type parameterindicating MO-data. At step 312, the AS evaluates its status withrespect to the EAB information being broadcast and recognizes that it isnot subject to EAB because it has received the information from the NASthat it belongs to category “a”. At step 314, because the UE 108B haspassed EAB, AS evaluates the status of the UE 108B with respect to ACB,and determines that the UE 108B is not subject to ACB for the currentcall type. The process then terminates at step 316.

Numerous types of devices exist, and many devices, particularly machinetype communication devices, are only configured to operate in oneparticular way. For example, a device may be configured to requestservice using only MO-data or MO-signalling, and may not have or need acapability to select one or the other at different times.

FIG. 4 illustrates the steps of a process 400 according to still anotheralternative embodiment of the invention. The process 400 provides for adevice to simply default to one ACB call type or another after passingEAB. Again, the process 400 may suitably be carried out using a networksuch as the network 100 of FIG. 1. In the following discussion, theprocess is described as being implemented through operations of theeNodeB 104 and the UE 108A, but it will again be recognized that thereference to specific devices is non-limiting and exemplary only.

At step 402, the eNodeB 104 broadcasts category “b” EAB parameters andMO-data ACB parameters in the same manner as described above withrespect to step 202 of FIG. 2. At step 404, the UE 108A recognizes thatit needs to access the network 100. At step 406, the NAS layer of the UE108A identifies its EAB category, but does not identify its ACB calltype. Again, the UE 108A is operating in its home network, and sobelongs to category “a”. At step 408, the NAS passes EAB categoryinformation, together with the radio resource control (RRC)establishment cause, to the access stratum (AS) layer, suitably in theform of a call type of EAB category “a”. The NAS does not need to passACB call type information to the AS.

At step 410, at the AS, the UE 108A interprets the information broadcastby the eNodeB 104, recognizing that the eNodeB 104 is broadcasting anEAB parameter indicating category “b” and an ACB parameter ofMO-signalling. At step 412, the AS evaluates its status with respect tothe EAB information being broadcast and recognizes that it is notsubject to EAB because it has received the information from the NAS thatit belongs to category “a”. At step 414, because the UE 108A has passedEAB, the AS evaluates the status of the UE 108A with respect to ACBbased on a default call type to be applied if the UE 108A passes EAB. Inthe present example, suppose that this default call type is MO-data.Because the parameter being broadcast by the eNodeB 104 includes aparameter of MO-signalling, the UE 108A is not subject to ACB for thecurrent call type. The process then terminates at step 416.

Exemplary implementations of NAS operations performed by the processes200, 300, and 400, respectively, may be represented by the followingexemplary descriptions of NAS operations. Exemplary NAS operations thatmay employ embodiments of the present invention include but are notlimited to attach procedures, tracking area updates, service requests,attach procedures, and numerous other NAS operations. The procedureillustrated here is modified from the procedures described above so asto present the extended capabilities of the various embodiments of theinvention. It can be seen that each procedure provides mechanisms to beused in cases in which the UE needs emergency communication services. Insuch cases, the EAB and ACB analyses are suitably not carried out.Instead, standard procedures for emergency attachment may be used.

NAS Call type Call type procedure RRC establishment cause (for ACB) (forEAB) Attach If an ATTACH REQUEST has EPS attach type not set to“originating EAB “EPS emergency attach”, the RRC establishment causesignalling” and/or shall be set to MO signalling except when the UEinitiates category attach procedure to establish emergency bearerservices. a). (See Note 1) . . . . . . . . .

The above procedure provides specifications for performing the ATTACHprocedure as detailed above with respect to FIG. 2. The parameterindicating whether EAB is to be applied, and the category if EAB isapplied, is here referred to as an EAB call type, but it will berecognized that the reference to the parameter as a call type isexemplary and non-limiting. The procedure provides for the NAS todesignate a call type for ACB, and an additional parameter, separatefrom the ACB call type, for EAB, with the parameters being defined toallow the AS to properly interpret the status of the UE.

NAS procedure RRC establishment cause Call type Attach If an ATTACHREQUEST has EPS attach type “originating not set to “EPS emergencyattach”, the RRC signal- establishment cause shall be set to MO ling” +EAB signalling except when the UE initiates attach category a).procedure to establish emergency bearer services. (See Note 1) . . . . .. . . .

The above procedure provides specifications for performing the ATTACHprocedure as detailed above with respect to FIG. 3. The procedureprovides for the NAS to use a single call type, with the call type usingmodified semantics as compared to the ATTACH procedure described above.Again, this call type provides sufficient information to allow the AS todetermine the status of the UE.

NAS RRC establishment cause (according Category procedure 3GPP TS 36.331[22]) (For EAB) Attach If an ATTACH REQUEST has EPS attach type “a”, “b”not set to “EPS emergency attach”, the RRC or “c” establishment causeshall be set to MO signalling except when the UE initiates attachprocedure to establish emergency bearer services. (See Note 1) . . . . .. . . .

The above procedure provides specifications for performing the ATTACHprocedure as detailed above with respect to FIG. 4, simply providing theEAB category without identifying the ACB call type. Rather than relyingon the NAS layer to identify the ACB call type, the AS simply implementsa default call type so that there is no need for a call typeidentification for ACB.

FIG. 5 illustrates additional details of the eNodeB 104. It will berecognized that a typical network will include numerous base stations,including eNodeBs that may vary from the eNodeB 104 presented here, andmay include base stations that are not eNodeBs. It will also berecognized that the present description is in simplified form, focusingon the components needed to carry out embodiments of the presentinvention.

The eNodeB 104 suitably comprises a transmitter 502, a receiver 504, andone or more antennas, represented here as an antenna 506. The eNodeB 104may also include a radiocontroller 508 configured to control thetransmitter 502 and the receiver 504. The eNodeB 104 may also include aprocessor 510, memory 512, and storage 514, communicating with oneanother and with the radiocontroller 508 over a bus 516. The eNodeB 104may suitably employ an access control module 518, implemented assoftware residing in storage 514 and transferred to memory 512 as neededfor execution by the processor 510, as well as a core networkcommunication module 520. The access control module 518 may comprise anaccess class barring (ACB) module 522 and an extended access barring(EAB) module 524. When the core network 102 is overloaded, it maytransmit instructions to base stations such as the eNodeB 104 toimplement one or more desired forms of access control. The core networkcommunication module 520 may respond to such instructions by directingeither or both of the ACB module 522 and the EAB module 524 to broadcastACB or EAB parameters, as appropriate. In addition, the eNodeB 104 maybroadcast EAB information, ACB information, or both, withoutinstructions from the core network 102, in cases in which the eNodeBitself is overloaded or in danger of overload.

FIG. 6 illustrates additional details of the UE 108A, presented here asan example. It will be recognized that a network such as the network 100will typically include a large number of UEs, such as the 108B, and108C, and additional UEs, and that any or all of these UEs which mayinclude similar components to those of the UE 108A, and may also includealternative or additional components as needed to perform theirfunctions.

The UE 108A suitably similarly comprises a transmitter 602, a receiver604, and one or more antennas, represented here as an antenna 606. TheUE 108A may also include a radiocontroller 608 configured to control thetransmitter 602 and the receiver 604. The UE 108A may also include aprocessor 610, memory 612, and storage 614, communicating with oneanother and with the radiocontroller 608 over a bus 616. The UE 108A maysuitably implement a base station communication module 618, which maysuitably comprise various segments that implement the wirelesstelecommunications protocol stack, most notably for present purposes anaccess stratum segment 620 and a non-access stratum segment 622. Thebase station communication module 618 may also comprise a call typeselector 624, a network identifier 626, and an access broadcastinterpreter 628. The network identifier 626 recognizes the network inwhich the UE 108A is operating in order to allow for determination ifthe UE 108A is operating in its home network, is roaming in a preferrednetwork, or is roaming in a non-preferred network. The base stationcommunication module 618 performs activities needed to manage variousprocesses similar to the processes 200, 300, and 400, of FIGS. 2, 3, and4, respectively. For example, when the UE 108A needs to request service,the call type selector 624 and the network identifier 626 may provide tothe non-access stratum segment 622 information related to the homenetwork, preferred network, and roaming status of the UE. Thisinformation allows the non-access stratum to identify the category ofthe UE 108A and the call type. The non-access stratum segment 622provides category and call type information to the access stratumsegment 620, allowing the access stratum segment 620 to respondappropriately to information provided by the access broadcastinterpreter 628, which examines access information broadcast by theeNodeB 104. The access stratum segment 620 interprets this informationin light of the category and call type information provided by thenon-access stratum segment 622 and controls the UE 108A appropriately.

Various modifications and adaptations to the foregoing exemplaryembodiments of this invention may become apparent to those skilled inthe relevant arts in view of the foregoing description. While variousexemplary embodiments have been described above it should be appreciatedthat the practice of the invention is not limited to the exemplaryembodiments shown and discussed here.

Further, some of the various features of the above non-limitingembodiments may be used to advantage without the corresponding use ofother described features. The foregoing description should therefore beconsidered as merely illustrative of the principles, teachings andexemplary embodiments of this invention, and not in limitation thereof.

We claim:
 1. A method comprising: configuring at least one processor tocause an apparatus to perform the functions of: upon a determinationthat the apparatus needs to communicate with a wireless networking basestation: determining at least one of extended access barring informationor status for the apparatus or access class barring information orstatus for the communication, wherein the determination of the extendedaccess barring information or status of the apparatus is carried out atthe non-access stratum layer of the wireless telecommunication protocolstack being used by the apparatus; receiving extended access barringcategory information broadcast by the base station; receiving accessclass barring information broadcast by the base station; determiningwhether the communication is subject to extended access barring; and ifit is determined that the apparatus is not subject to extended accessbarring, determining whether the apparatus is subject to access classbarring based on the access class barring information broadcast by thebase station.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the non-access stratumlayer conveys the information or status to the access stratum layer ofthe wireless telecommunication protocol stack using a first parameterindicating the extended access barring information or status and asecond parameter indicating the access class barring information orstatus.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the determined extended accessbarring information comprises extended barring category and the accessclass barring information comprises call type.
 4. The method of claim 3,wherein the non-access stratum layer conveys the extended access barringcategory and the access class barring call type to the access stratumlayer of the wireless telecommunication protocol stack using a firstparameter indicating the extended access barring category and a secondparameter indicating the access class barring call type.
 5. The methodof claim 3, wherein the non-access stratum layer conveys the extendedaccess barring category and the access class barring call type to theaccess stratum layer of the wireless telecommunication protocol stackusing an extended call type indicator, wherein the extended call typeindicator provides information indicating both the extended accessbarring category and the access class barring call type.
 6. The methodof claim 3, wherein the non-access stratum layer conveys the extendedaccess barring category to the access stratum layer using a parameterindicating an extended access barring category and wherein the accessstratum layer selects a default access class barring call type uponreceiving an indication that the apparatus is not subject to extendedaccess barring.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the non-access stratumlayer initiates processing of a request for attention upon thedetermination that the apparatus needs to communicate with the basestation.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein, if the need for service fromthe base station results from a need for an emergency communication, thenon-access stratum performs emergency procedures without determining theextended access barring category.
 9. An apparatus comprising: at leastone processor; a computer readable medium storing a program ofinstructions which, when executed by the processor, configure theapparatus to perform the functions of: upon a determination that theapparatus needs to communicate with a wireless networking base station:determining at least one of extended access barring information orstatus for the apparatus or access class barring information or statusfor the communication, wherein the determination of the extended accessbarring information or status of the apparatus is carried out at thenon-access stratum layer of the wireless telecommunication protocolstack being used by the apparatus; receiving extended access barringcategory information broadcast by the base station; receiving accessclass barring information broadcast by the base station; determiningwhether the communication is subject to extended access barring; and ifit is determined that the apparatus is not subject to extended accessbarring, determining whether the apparatus is subject to access classbarring based on the access class barring information broadcast by thebase station.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the non-accessstratum layer conveys the information or status to the access stratumlayer of the wireless telecommunication protocol stack using a firstparameter indicating the extended access barring information or statusand a second parameter indicating the access class barring informationor status.
 11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the determined extendedaccess barring information comprises extended barring category and theaccess class barring information comprises call type.
 12. The apparatusof claim 10, wherein the non-access stratum layer conveys the extendedaccess barring category and the access class barring call type to theaccess stratum layer of the wireless telecommunication protocol stackusing a first parameter indicating the extended access barring categoryand a second parameter indicating the access class barring call type.13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the non-access stratum layerconveys the extended access barring category and the access classbarring call type to the access stratum layer of the wirelesstelecommunication protocol stack using an extended call type indicator,wherein the extended call type indicator provides information indicatingboth the extended access barring category and the access class barringcall type.
 14. The method of claim 10, wherein the non-access stratumlayer conveys the extended access barring category to the access stratumlayer using a parameter indicating an extended access barring categoryand wherein the access stratum layer selects a default access classbarring call type upon receiving an indication that the apparatus is notsubject to extended access barring.
 15. The apparatus of claim 10,wherein the non-access stratum layer initiates processing of a requestfor attention upon the determination that the apparatus needs tocommunicate with the base station.
 16. The apparatus of claim 9,wherein, if the need for service from the base station results from aneed for an emergency communication, the non-access stratum performsemergency procedures without determining the extended access barringcategory.
 17. A computer readable medium comprising a program ofinstructions execution of which by a processor causes an apparatus toperform the functions of: upon a determination that the apparatus needsto communicate with a wireless networking base station: determining atleast one of extended access barring information or status for theapparatus or access class barring information or status for thecommunication, wherein the determination of the extended access barringinformation or status of the apparatus is carried out at the non-accessstratum layer of the wireless telecommunication protocol stack beingused by the apparatus; receiving extended access barring categoryinformation broadcast by the base station; receiving access classbarring information broadcast by the base station; determining whetherthe communication is subject to extended access barring; and if it isdetermined that the apparatus is not subject to extended access barring,determining whether the apparatus is subject to access class barringbased on the access class barring information broadcast by the basestation.
 18. The computer readable medium of claim 17, wherein thenon-access stratum layer conveys the information or status to the accessstratum layer of the wireless telecommunication protocol stack using afirst parameter indicating the extended access barring information orstatus and a second parameter indicating the access class barringinformation or status.
 19. The computer readable medium of claim 17,wherein the determined extended access barring information comprisesextended barring category and the access class barring informationcomprises call type.
 20. The computer readable medium of claim 18,wherein the non-access stratum layer conveys the extended information orstatus and the access class information or status to the access stratumlayer of the wireless telecommunication protocol stack using a firstparameter indicating the extended access barring category and a secondparameter indicating the access class barring call type.